Seven Churches of Revelation are also known as Seven Churches of Asia and Seven Churches of Apocalypse are located in Asia Minor. These are the churches of Early Christianity mentioned in The New Testament of Revelations. John the Apostle or John of Patmos says that he heard a great voice telling him to write a book. In this book he says, Jesus Christ told him «Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and to Laodicea.» The seven churches are literal churches all located on west part of Asia Minor but in the Book of Revelations each of these churches also refer to a Christian community living in each city. Also it is possible that the seven churches may symbolize the seven different periods of the church history. According to John the Apostle, there is an angel for each city. They could refer to a person or an angel but they were the ones delivering messages for each church to repent their sinful events. Ephesus: (Located in Selcuk, a town of Izmir) They received praise for their perseverance but they were warned because they have forgotten their first love, love of God. Christ ordered them to repent from the ways of Nicolaitans. Today, the ruins in Ephesus are well preserved can be visited. The related sites in Ephesus are Basilica of Saint John which stands over the believed burial site of St. John, The Great Theater of Ephesus where Apostle Paul preached for about 3 years and delivered a ceremony condemning pagan worship and Ephesus Museum. Smyrna: (Located in Izmir) It is one of two churches which has not been criticized. They received praise for perseverance but the false Jews have been spoken in the message to them. Christ warned them of ten days of tribulation that may cost them their lives or imprisonment. Today, Izmir is the 3rd biggest city in Turkey. The ruins can be visited. The related sites in Izmir are Saint Polycarp Church, Agora and Izmir Archeological Museum. Pergamon: (Located at the north of Izmir) They were criticized because of their false teachings and Pergamon described as the city where Satan has its throne. Christ told them to repent from the doctrines of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. Today, the ruins in Pergamon can be visited. They are relatively well preserved. Thyatira: (Located in Akhisar, Manisa) They were praised for their increasing faith and service but they have been warned because of their tolerance for the woman called Jezebel who called herself as prophetess. They have been ordered to repent from the teachings of the prophetess Jezebel. Today, the ruins of Thyatira are protected in a fenced off area in modern Akhisar town. Sardis: (Located in Manisa, 50 miles east of Izmir) It has been described as a death church with no enthusiasm in congregation. They have to wake up or else their name will be blot out the book of life. Today, Sardis is solely an archaeological site. Well preserved out of a small town called Sart. Philadelphia: (Located in Alasehir, Manisa) This is the other church which was not rebuked or received condemnation. Despite its little strength, Philadelphia was promised an open door that no man can close. Today, only a few ruins remained from Philadelphia and they are protected by government in Alasehir town. Laodicea: (Located in Denizli) It probably is the most malignant of the seven churches. It is called lukewarm church. Their richness was hiding their spiritual poverty. Despite they claim they are in need of nothing, Christ called them poor because of their lack of spiritual purity. Laodicea described as end times church, which is lukewarm but slumbering in a materialistic spiritual stupor. They have been ordered to repent from investing in material riches that make them miserable; rather, they invested in the refined gold of Him who has overcome. Today Laodicea is solely an archaeological site located in Denizli city.
